KIP Ph.D. candidate, Oluwatosin Oyeniran recently participated in the Michigan Physiological Society (MPS) Annual Conference 2026, held on June 15-16, 2026, and hosted by Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The conference brought together students, faculty, researchers, and healthcare professionals from across Michigan to discuss current advances in physiological research, education, and professional development.
Oyeniran, a member of the Integrative Physiology Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. William Cooke, attended the conference to engage with the broader physiological sciences community and contribute to the scientific program through conference leadership activities.
A notable aspect of his participation was serving as a moderator for two featured scientific sessions. The first session, “Science Advocacy & Policy,” was presented by Dr. Daniel Michele from the University of Michigan and explored the important role scientists play in informing public policy, advocating for research funding, and communicating scientific discoveries to policymakers and the public. The second session, “Who Will Teach Physiology?”, was presented by Dr. Erica Wehrwein from Michigan State University and focused on the future of physiology education, workforce development, and strategies for training and inspiring the next generation of physiology educators.
As a session moderator, Oyeniran introduced speakers, facilitated audience discussions, managed question-and-answer periods, and helped ensure the smooth flow of each session. The experience provided an opportunity to engage with leading physiologists and contribute to meaningful conversations about the future of science, education, and professional engagement within the discipline.
“The conference provided an excellent opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research and important issues facing the physiology community,” said Oyeniran. “Moderating sessions on science advocacy and physiology education allowed me to interact with experts in the field while developing my leadership and professional communication skills.”
The Michigan Physiological Society Annual Conference featured presentations spanning a wide range of physiological disciplines, including cardiovascular physiology, neuroscience, exercise physiology, metabolism, and translational biomedical science. Attendees participated in scientific presentations, networking events, and discussions focused on advancing research and education in physiology.
For graduate students, participation in professional scientific meetings is an important component of academic and professional development. Conferences provide opportunities to learn about emerging discoveries, build professional networks, explore potential collaborations, and gain exposure to diverse career paths within the physiological sciences.
Oyeniran’s participation reflects the continued commitment of the Integrative Physiology Laboratory and the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology to fostering student engagement in professional scientific organizations and leadership activities.
The department congratulates Oluwatosin on his contributions to the success of the Michigan Physiological Society Annual Conference 2026 and looks forward to his continued growth as a scientist, educator, and leader in the field of physiology.